The state has been given 7 more days to conclude investigations into the January 23, blast at a goldmine in Nandi.
Kapsabet chief magistrate Samuel Mokua declined a request by the state for 21 more days to enable a multi-agency team to conclude the investigation and enable them to charge the suspects.
There was a heated exchange between the lawyers representing the victims of the blast, the mining company, the state and defence on the time needed as the committal files had been handed to ODPP a month ago.
The victims were represented by Kenya human rights commission lawyers Brian Olang’ and Festus Mbati while Karebe mining company were represented by Jacob Ngwele and Abner Mango.
Ten suspects were arrested by the detectives from DCI over the blast.
The state is yet to prefer charges after three miners were killed while six others were injured inside a tunnel in the afternoon of January 23, 2023.
The ODPP, through a state counsel Brenda Oluoch, told the court in Kapsabet that she had instructions to seek more time to enable investigators complete investigation to successfully prefer charges.
The 10 suspects who were arrested over the deadly blast, however, are out on Sh200,00 cash bail.
Lawyers for the victims informed the court that despite the tough conditions set out in the bail application for the suspect, the widows and families of deceased persons were being intimidated and harassed by the suspects.
Olang’ argued that the DCI team that investigated spent two weeks at the site of the blast collecting evidence opposing the 21 days request and asking for 7 days.
The state is yet to formally charge the suspects.
The chief magistrate ruled that the matter would be brought before him on March 17, 2023 when the state is expected to formally charge the suspects.
They are represented by lawyer R. Kinyanjui.
